How does it work?

Pholcodine is a type of medicine called a cough suppressant. It is used to suppress a dry, tickly, unproductive cough.

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Coughing is a reflex response to irritation of the airways. It is useful for clearing mucus, dust and other particles from the throat and lungs. It is important because it reduces the amount of mucus, dust and bacteria in the airways that would otherwise make breathing difficult. However, sometimes coughing can become overstimulated even when there is no mucus to clear from the lungs or throat. In this situation coughing serves no purpose and can become painful and frustrating.

Pholcodine can be used to block the cough reflex in situations where the cough serves no purpose, ie when no plegm is being coughed up. It works by reducing the nerve signals sent from a part of the brain called the coughing centre to the muscles that produce coughing.

Diphenhydramine is a type of medicine called a sedating antihistamine. It enters the brain in sufficient quantities to cause drowsiness, and this sedative effect may also help suppress a cough.

Nasal mucus can often be the cause of cough in a cold, because it drips down the back of the throat, causing irritation. Diphenhydramine also drys nasal secretions, by stopping a natural body chemical called histamine from binding to its receptors. Histamine is a chemical produced naturally by the body that has many effects, including the production of allergic symptoms, such as a runny nose. Blocking histamine receptors prevents the actions of histamine, which reduces the production of mucus in the nose.

The combination of active ingredients in this medicine is useful for relieving dry, irritating coughs, particularly those associated with colds. The syrup base also helps soothe a sore throat. The relief from symptoms and the mild sedative effect caused by the medicine are especially useful for helping restful sleep with irritating night time coughs.

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How do I take it?

Adults and adolescents over 12 years of age should take 20ml syrup (four 5ml spoonfuls, or use the measuring cup provided with the syrup) just before going to bed.

Do not exceed the recommended dose.

If the cough doesn't get better despite using this medicine you should consult your doctor.

Do not use for longer than five days unless your doctor agrees.

Warning!

If you or your child have any of the following symptoms you should not use this medicine and consult your doctor so that the cough can be investigated further: coughing up phlegm that is green, rusty brown, yellow, blood-stained or foul smelling; shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; chest pain; pain and swelling in the calf; sudden weight loss; recurrent night-time cough; or a long-term persistent cough.

This medicine may cause drowsiness and so should not be taken during the day. If affected do not drive or operate machinery.

Each 20ml dose also contains 0.8g alcohol (ethanol), which is equivalent to 20ml beer or 8ml wine. This may be harmful for those suffering from alcoholism. It should be taken into account in children and high-risk groups such as people with liver disease or epilepsy.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established. It should only be used if the potential benefits outweigh any possible risks to the baby. It is important to get medical advice from your doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

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Drowsiness.

Dizziness.

Dry mouth.

Blurred vision.

Nausea and vomiting.

Constipation.

Difficulty passing urine.

Skin rashes.

Irritability.

Nightmares.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

If you are already taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines and those bought without a prescription, you should check with your pharmacist before taking this medicine, to make sure that the combination is safe.

The manufacturer states that this medicine should not be used by people who are currently taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressant, eg phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid or moclobemide, or who have taken one of these medicines in the last 14 days.

This medicine may cause drowsiness. This may be made worse if the medicine is taken in combination with other medicines that can cause drowsiness, such as the following:

benzodiazepines, eg temazepam, diazepam

sedating antihistamines, eg chlorphenamine, promethazine, triprolidine (these are often found in other non-prescription cough and cold or hayfever remedies)

sleeping tablets, eg zopiclone

strong opioid painkillers, eg codeine, dihydrocodeine, morphine

tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline.

There may be an increased risk of side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation or difficulty passing urine if this medicine is taken with any of the following medicines:

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